Intensates^® Flavors Increase Salivation

Objectives: A sufficient level of salivation is important for good oral hygiene and taste sensation. Dry mouth or Xerostomia is conducive to the growth of microorganisms that cause halitosis or bad breath and decreases taste sensation which may decrease the ability to taste and enjoy food and beverages. Increased saliva flow, conversely, promotes good oral health, taste sensation, digestion and, thus, may improve the quality of life. The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of flavors on perceived and actual salivary flow rate.
Methods: In experiment 1, healthy volunteers (n=36) evaluated alcohol free mouthwash containing either an Intensates® flavor or a similar control flavor 30 minutes apart. Mouth hydration levels were rated on an anchored 9 point scale at the following intervals: immediately, 1 and 2 minutes after the mouthwash rinse. An ANOVA (Duncan’s Multiple Range test) was used to analyze the data. In experiment 2, volunteers (n=16) collected whole saliva for 1 minute using SalivaBio Oral Swab (Salimetrics®, USA) after a 30 second oral rinse with water, followed by a 30 second rinse with the same 2 aforementioned mouthwashes. Saliva flow rate was calculated as the weight of saliva divided by the collection time. A two sample student’s T-test was used to analyze the flow rates.
Results: Mouth hydration perception was significantly higher (p<0.01) at all 3 time points with the Intensates® flavor versus the control flavor. Analogously, saliva flow rates were 139.5% higher (p=0.027) versus the control flavor. There were no significant differences in flow rates between samples after the initial water only rinse.
Conclusions: Intensates® flavors increased perceived hydration as well as increased actual saliva flow rate.